Essence of Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and join an unforgettable full-day discovery of Angkor’s most iconic wonders.

Your adventure begins at Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire, surrounded by towering walls and ancient gates. Inside, the mystical Bayon Temple will captivate you with its giant smiling stone faces and intricate bas-reliefs depicting everyday life centuries ago. Continue to Ta Prohm, a temple left in much of its original state, where massive tree roots embrace crumbling stone walls, creating a scene so magical it became famous in Tomb Raider.

Lunch at a local restaurant at your own expense.

In the afternoon, prepare to be awed by Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, with its soaring towers, exquisite carvings, and vast courtyards that tell epic tales from Hindu mythology. As the day draws to a close, head to Phnom Bakheng, a hilltop temple offering sweeping views of the surrounding jungle and Angkor Wat bathed in the golden glow of sunset, creating an unforgettable finale to your temple journey.

Return to town in the early evening, your heart full and your camera brimming with memories. Meals are on your arrangement. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Set out on a journey into the sacred grounds of Phnom Kulen, where lush greenery, hidden shrines, and timeless carvings await. The drive up the mountain offers sweeping views before arriving at the famed Kulen Waterfall. Here, pause to soak in the cool forest air, watch local families picnic by the cascades, snap photos of the jungle scenery, or if you wish, take a refreshing dip in the natural pools beneath the falls.

Follow the path to the mystical River of a Thousand Lingas, its stone riverbed etched with sacred carvings dedicated to Shiva. Here, you may receive a traditional blessing with holy water before hiking up to the mountain’s summit. At the top, marvel at the sacred pagoda and Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha, peacefully resting on a giant sandstone boulder.

By mid-afternoon, relax in the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle for the return drive to Siem Reap. Drop off at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are in your own arrangement.

Unwind a leisurely morning in Siem Reap before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Your room is available until noon.

On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, your local guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in from 14:00. The city greets you with a vibrant mix of colonial landmarks, bustling markets, and a nightlife that never seems to pause. In the evening, you may like to explore Nguyen Hue Walking Street, sample local flavors at a street food stall, or simply enjoy a rooftop drink while watching the city lights. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Check out of the hotel in the morning and leave your luggage in the lobby. The staff will keep it safe for you.

7:30 AM: Be ready at 112 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City for departure to Cu Chi Tunnels, a unique military marvel that reflects the strength and unbreakable will of the Vietnamese people, offering an amazing experience.

• You will start with a short documentary that brings to life the construction of the tunnels and the resilience of the Vietnamese people who survived in these underground passages during wartime.
• Step into the remaining sections of the tunnel network, where you’ll find living quarters, kitchens, and sleeping areas alongside essential military facilities such as weapon workshops, field hospitals, and command centers. Along the way, uncover hidden trapdoors and ingenious booby traps once used to guard against enemy intrusion.
• Wrap up the visit by tasting cassava and a cup of hot tea with steamed tapioca.

We drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and drop you off at your hotel. Free at your leisure to go around shopping or explore other unique city corners.

Meet your guide at the hotel after breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City for a journey to the serene Mekong Delta, where daily life flows to the rhythm of the river.

As you reach My Tho, step aboard a traditional boat and cruise along the Mekong River, gliding past riverside villages and local craft workshops. Witness how coconut candy and rice popcorn are made, then hop into a small sampan for a tranquil paddle through narrow palm-shaded canals.

Continue to Thoi Son Islet, where you’ll explore its lush gardens and gain insight into life along the delta. 

A countryside-style lunch awaits, featuring regional specialties prepared with fresh local ingredients.

After your meal, enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride through the quiet village paths or relax at a riverside café, soaking in the slow rhythm of delta life.

In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City, bringing back serene memories of one of Vietnam’s most iconic and timeless landscapes.

Have the day at your own pace until it’s time for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Your room in Hanoi is available until noon.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to the hotel, with your room ready from 14:00. The capital blends ancient heritage with a lively street scene, historic landmarks, French colonial architecture, and the buzz of the Old Quarter invite you to explore Vietnam’s rich past, taste distinctive local flavors, or simply soak in the city’s energy at your own pace. Meals are in your own arrangement. Overnight in Hanoi.

Fully charge your energy, you will set off for serenity Ninh Binh, taking around a 2-hour drive, offering a place as “Halong Bay on land” for its striking limestone peaks rising above emerald rice paddies and winding waterways.

Arrival at the Vietnamese restaurant and start cycling 20 minutes to Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s capital during the 10th and 11th centuries. Then park the cycle outside and wander through ancient courtyards, visit the temples of King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh, surrounded by a dramatic backdrop of forested mountains. Hear stories from the nation’s early dynasties and take in the calm beauty of the rural setting. 

NOTE: For those who do not like cycling, you will be taken by bus to Hoa Lu, where your local guide will meet and guide you to the temples for sightseeing, and return to the restaurant by bus

After visiting Hoa Lu, for those who choose to cycle, you will continue cycling for about 30 minutes around the village to learn more about local life before returning to the restaurant for lunch.

Savor local cuisine while having lunch at a 5-star restaurant amidst the poetic landscape of Ninh Binh's mountains and rivers.

NOTE: Vegetarian foods are always available on both the Deluxe Set Menu and Buffet.

In the afternoon, make your way to Tam Coc, one of the area’s most enchanting landscapes. Step into a 2-hour sampan boat ride rowed by local villagers and drift along the Ngo Dong River. Enjoy sightseeing as you pass through three natural caves: Hang Ca, Hang Hai, and Hang Ba, each revealing breathtaking views of towering cliffs, shimmering rice fields, and peaceful countryside. 

Get on the bus back to Hanoi and you'll be dropped off at your hotel to wrap up an unforgettable journey.

After finishing your breakfast and checking out of the hotel, you’ll head out on a comfortable drive to Halong Bay, about 200 kilometers from Hanoi. Once you arrive at the port, step aboard your cruise, where the friendly crew will greet you with a cool welcome drink. A delicious lunch will be served as the boat sails through towering limestone formations and emerald waters.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in optional activities like exploring a local fishing village, visiting the majestic caves and islands in the bays, or thrilling water activities, depending on the cruise's itinerary. As the day winds down, return to the ship and relax on the sundeck to take part in a Vietnamese cooking class or in your cabin. Later, enjoy a cozy dinner on board and fall asleep to the gentle sway of the bay beneath you.

Wake up to the first light of dawn and savor breakfast on board as the sun slowly rises over the emerald bay.

Your morning continues with a leisurely cruise past some of Ha Long’s most iconic limestone islets, where every turn reveals another breathtaking seascape. After check-out, enjoy a delightful brunch while taking in the final views of this UNESCO World Heritage Site before returning to the harbor.

From here, you’ll be transferred back to Hanoi, arriving around 15:00. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and take some time to rest. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free at your leisure, stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the bustling Old Quarter, or simply relax in one of Hanoi’s charming cafés.

Soak up the last moments in Hanoi with a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, a driver will transfer you to the international airport for your journey home or onward destination. Your room is available until noon. Meals are in your own arrangement. This marks the close of your Indochina adventure, with memories to carry long after you’ve left.